Luke Dickinson is set to take his budding carpentry skills to the national stage after coming out on top at the Bay of Plenty Regional NZ Carpentry Apprenticeship Challenge.

The regional challenge is one of 12 events nationwide held across March and April.

Luke Dickinson hard at work during the Bay of Plenty Regional NZ Carpentry Apprenticeship Challenge. Photo: Supplied.

They are run by Certified Builders and the Industry Training Association, an organisation founded and supported by Certified Builders, in conjunction with a number of polytechnics, large construction companies and other employers throughout New Zealand.

The challenge this year sees apprentices competing to build something they all need to know how to build, such as a framing wall or a staircase, with the final products going back to the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic to help train future generations of apprentices.

The challenge is undertaken in a set timeframe and covers all aspects of technical building from following plans to meeting health and safety requirements.

At the end of the challenge Luke was adjudged the winner, securing his spot at the New Zealand Final to be held at the Certified Builders Annual Conference next month.

Certified Builders regional president Mike way says given all members of Certified Builders are required to be trade-certified, a major focus is helping to foster more quality apprentices.

'So it's appropriate that the finished products of this competition will be used to help train future apprentices through ITAB,” says Mike.

'With housing availability in New Zealand such a major issue, ensuring that there are enough high quality, qualified builders is vital for the country.”

More comprehensive than shorter schemes, ITAB provides about 8000 hours, more than four years, of extensive practical experience and solid theoretical training, giving apprentices a broad set of essential professional skills.

Luke will represent the Bay of Plenty in the New Zealand Final to be held at the Certified Builders Annual Conference in Christchurch on 22-23 May.